Norman Pawlewski, a lobbyist for Iowa Right to Life, saying he believes it would be nearly impossible for a Republican candidate who focuses on economic over social issues to win over Iowa’s GOP base. Iowa is one of the first presidential primary states.

Missouri state Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, explaining why he and his fellow Democrats did not fight a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to privately pray in public places.

This was such a meaningless amendment, we just didn’t feel like we needed to put forth the effort to stop it this year. It doesn’t do anything at all, so I just decided to focus on trying to stop bills that actually do harm.